Freakonomics - The Film

[Mulboyne]

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A film version of "Freakonomics", the book where Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner applied economic analysis to untraditional subjects, is now in previews. As mentioned before on these forums, one part of the book spends time establishing a statistical proof of the existence of match-rigging in sumo. The film gives the book's various subjects to different documentary makers, who give their own visual treatment to the arguments. Sumo is handled by Oscar-winner Alex Gibney, seen in the clip above. The full trailer is below:

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Opinions on the film are mixed. Some say if you have read the book then the it's superfluous. Other reviews call it very entertaining. Gibney's segment on sumo also divides people. It is apparently quite dark in tone which one reviewer says jars with the more light-hearted piece preceding it. Another reviewer thinks Gibney got one of the best subjects in the book for visual treatment and also benefits from adding more information to his piece. The film claims that match-rigging stopped temporarily after the book's claims became public. In Japan, claims of match-rigging have been the subject of lawsuits. Given the recent opposition to screenings of "The Cove", it will be interesting to see if any issues arise when the producers try to find a distribution deal in Japan. Then again. sumo is currently mired in scandals so the sport may not be in a position to mount any serious opposition if the film does get picked up.

[Christoff]

It was an awesome book, somehow I feel the movie might cheapen it. I can't imagine morgan sperlick adding anything positive to it.